Indiana Social Worker Licensure Requirements

Indiana licenses social workers at two levels: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Licensed Social Workers may have education at either the baccalaureate or master’s level. Those that do not have master’s degrees must put in two years of service before they can earn the credential.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers have education at the master’s or doctoral level. Whatever their educational level, they must fulfill a practice requirement.

Social workers at both levels must pass a national qualifying exam and a background check (Click Here to learn more about the exam and background check).

The Simmons College School of Social Work ([email protected]) is the nation’s oldest school of social work and is offering an innovative Online Master of Social Work program. You can complete this CSWE-accredited Master's in Social Work program in as little as 15 months. There is no GRE required for acceptance to this program. Request information.

[email protected] is the online Master of Social Work program from the top-20–ranked University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). The program is for students who earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. GRE scores are not required. Request information.

Becoming an LSW in Indiana

The first step is enrolling in a social work program that has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or holds candidate status.

Graduates of master’s programs may apply to take the exam as soon as their degree posts. They should arrange to have official transcripts sent straight to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. They must send an application to the IPLA along with a $50 application fee (Click Here to download the application for an LSW).

Graduates of baccalaureate programs must work under the supervision of an LSW or LCSW before beginning the licensing process. The minimum is twenty-four months and 3,000 hours. They must have four hours of direct face to face supervision each month. The supervisor and employer will need to fill out and notarize verification forms after requirements have been met. At this stage, the candidate can apply to take the exam.

A candidate may work under a temporary permit while waiting to take the examination. This costs an additional $25. The permit is good for up to 180 days. It may be renewed. Any candidate who fails three times must document remediation in the form of education and/or experience before being allowed to make another attempt. After a failure, a candidate must wait 90 days before making another attempt.

Any candidate who fails three times must document remediation in the form of education and/or experience before being allowed to make another attempt.

The cost of the master level exam is currently $230.

Becoming an LCSW in Indiana

Those interested in becoming LCSWs should enroll in an accredited graduate program that prepares them for clinical service work. Master’s programs should include coursework in clinical areas like the following: psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, psychiatric social work. Clinically oriented service classes should total at least 24 semester hours and there should be a fieldwork experience that involves direct clinical service work. There is a clinical coursework worksheet included in the application package which lists the seven general coursework requirements (Click Here for the application package).

If a candidate’s social work master’s program did not meet the clinical requirements, he will need to meet them later by re-enrolling in an academic program.

Before beginning employment within Indiana, the social worker must be licensed as an LSW (as outlined in the previous section). Social workers need to accrue at least 3,000 hours of paid experience before they can pursue the higher license. They need to carry out clinical social work duties, including evaluation and treatment. At least half the hours must be direct service work. During this time, the social worker must receive no less than four hours of face-to-face supervision from an LCSW each month.

At the end of the experience period, the candidate’s supervisor and employer will each submit verification to the Board and the candidate will apply to take the exam and be licensed. The clinical exam will cost $260. Candidates can work under a temporary permit while waiting to take the exam.

Additional Information

Out-of-state social workers may be exempted from taking the exam if they passed a similar exam in their jurisdiction and have been in active practice during at least three of the preceding five years. Licensure by endorsement depends on not having discipline issues in another jurisdiction. Endorsement candidates must pass an Indiana jurisprudence exam.

Licensed social workers need to do 40 hours of continuing education every two years. They may renew licenses online.

(Click Here if the links to application forms are not working and you will be directed to the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board site for an updated link to the application form).

Professional Organizations

If you are still in High School, hold a High School Diploma/GED, or hold a bachelor's degree, check out suggested steps to take along the path to become a Social Worker in Indiana.